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Why Has the Trump Trade Stalled? (Part One)

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Why Has the Trump Trade Stalled? (Part One): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Has the Trump Trade Stalled? (Part One)
  • Economic Takeaways – November Retail Sales

Stock futures are recovering some of yesterday’s losses as cooler-than-feared inflation data in the EU is driving modestly dovish money flows ahead of the Fed decision.

Economically, inflation data out of Europe was “cooler” than feared with U.K. Core CPI rising to 3.5% vs. (E) 3.6% while Eurozone HICP rose to 2.2% vs. (E) 2.3%. The “cooler” data saw rates traders price in more policy rate cuts from the ECB in 2025.

Today, there is one economic report due to be released mid-morning: Housing Starts and Permits (1.340M & 1.430M) but the primary market focus will be the Fed decision at 2:00 p.m. ET and likely more importantly, Fed Chair Powell’s press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET.

While the Fed will almost certainly be the primary catalyst for markets today, there is some micro-news that could influence sectors and sub-sectors of the equity markets as we will get late season earnings from GIS ($1.22), JBL ($1.88), MU ($1.75), and LEN ($4.18).

Bottom line, investors are looking for the Fed to reiterate their view that the economy is tracking for a soft-landing and that the FOMC is not overly concerned with the latest uptick in inflation data that could signal a sustained “pause” in rate cuts. A hawkish tone in the announcement or Powell’s press conference would likely trigger renewed selling pressure in equity markets and higher bond yields.

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Why Has Tech Been So Strong? (Again)

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Why Has Tech Been So Strong? (Again): Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Has Tech Been So Strong? (Again)

Futures are modestly higher following better than expected tech earnings overnight.

Broadcom (AVGO) earnings were mixed but management commentary was bullish and the stock is rallying 15% pre-market and that’s helping to boost tech stocks and broader market futures.

Economically, the notable data was from the UK and it was soft.  Monthly GDP (-0.1% vs. (E) 0.2%) and Industrial Production (-0.6% vs. (E) 0.3%) both missed estimates.

Today there are no notable economic reports nor any Fed speakers, so markets will likely follow the tech sector.  If the AVGO led tech rally this morning can hold, it should pull other indices and sectors higher with it.

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The VIX index and VIX futures both getting pressured in a big way

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The VIX index and VIX futures both getting pressured in a big way: Sevens Report Co-Editor Tyler Richey Quoted in S&P Global

Stock market ‘fear gauge’ plunges; investors expect rally to persist into 2025

Volatility dynamics in the stock market have shifted since the election when many investors crowded into downside stock market hedges on fears that a Democratic victory could lead to taxes on unrealized capital gains, said Tyler Richey with Sevens Report Research. This also hurt the performance of short volatility strategies, which had been crushed by a massive VIX squeeze at the start of August, Richey said.

“Between the post-election unwind in broad stock market hedges and a suffering short-volatility crowd [throughout 2024], the derivatives market pendulum swung hard from one extreme to another with the VIX index and VIX futures both getting pressured in a big way over the last month,” Richey said.

Also, click here to view the full S&P Global article published on December 6th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

If you want research that comes with no long term commitment, yet provides independent, value added, plain English analysis of complex macro topics, then begin your Sevens Report subscription today by clicking here.

To strengthen your market knowledge take a free trial of The Sevens Report.

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Data Check: Hard Landing or Soft Landing?

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Data Check: Hard Landing or Soft Landing?: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Hard Landing vs. Soft Landing Scoreboard
  • Chart: NVDA Earnings Loom Large – Key Technical Support in Focus

Futures are slightly higher but well off session highs as “warm” EU inflation data pushed yields higher overnight with the U.S. 10-Yr pushing back beyond 4.40%.

Economically, inflation data in Europe was “warm” as U.K. Core CPI rose 3.3% y/y vs. (E) 3.2% in October while German PPI unexpectedly rose 0.2% m/m last month following a sizeable 0.5% drop in September.

There are no notable economic reports today but there is a 20-Yr Treasury Bond auction at 1:00 p.m. ET that could move markets depending on demand measures for the longer duration government bonds (higher yields would weigh on stocks again).

Additionally, there are two Fed speakers today Cook (11:30 a.m. ET) and Bowman (12:15 p.m. ET), but unless they are materially hawkish, their comments should not move markets.

Finally, earnings season has largely wound down however there are some notables reporting quarterly results today including: TGT ($2.29), TJX ($1.09), NVDA ($0.74), PANW ($1.48), SQM ($0.64).

Interestingly, Barclays analysts noted earlier this week that options markets suggest today’s report from NVDA will be the biggest catalyst remaining in 2024, underscoring the importance of investor sentiment towards the AI-darling’s growth prospects, leaving the chip-maker’s earnings report a potential make-or-break event for markets this afternoon.

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Why Did Stocks Drop Last Week?

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Why Did Stocks Drop Last Week?: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Did Stocks Drop Last Week?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Focus on Treasury Secretary, NVDA earnings and economic growth (Thursday/Friday).
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Important Growth Data Late This Week

Futures are little changed following a quiet weekend of news as markets continue to digest last week’s rise in Treasury yields, and the return of political surprises (via Trump’s cabinet announcements).

There were no notable economic reports overnight.

Politically, the major remaining cabinet pick from Trump is Treasury Secretary and it should come early this week (and another unorthodox choice would further roil markets).

Today the calendar is quiet as there is just one economic report, Housing Market Index (E: 43), and one Fed speaker, Goolsbee (10:00 a.m. ET).  So, focus will be on Trump’s cabinet (again, the more traditional choice for Treasury, the better for markets) and on the 10-year yield.  If it keeps rising, that will be a continued headwind on stocks.

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Where Are We In the Bull Market Cycle? (One Year Later)

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Where Are We In the Bull Market Cycle?: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Where Are We In the Bull Market Cycle? (One Year Later)

Futures are moderately lower as markets continue to digest the market implications of the Republican win while economic data was mixed.

The U.S. Dollar at near two-year highs along with the 10-year yield pushing 4.50%, combined with Trump’s recent unorthodox cabinet picks, is causing investors to re-assess the potential impacts of the incoming Republican government.

Focus today will be on economic data and given the less dovish rhetoric from Fed officials this week, markets will want to see in-line to slightly soft reports to keep rate cuts on track.  If the data is hotter than expected, look for yields to rise and stocks to extend the early losses.  The important reports today include Retail Sales (E: 0.3%), Empire Manufacturing (0.0) and Industrial Production (E: -0.3%) and we have one notable Fed speaker, Williams (1:15 p.m. ET).

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It’s been a stellar year so far for U.S. markets

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It’s been a stellar year so far for U.S. markets: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s

Why Trump’s Win Can Stoke the Bull Market for the Rest of 2024

It’s been a stellar year so far for U.S. markets. Investors should expect the surge to carry on until the end of 2024 now that Donald Trump has won the race to the White House, Sevens Report Research founder and president Tom Essaye said on Wednesday.

While the result isn’t “a bullish gamechanger” because stocks are already up so much this year, the election results “should spur a rally into year-end, barring any other major surprises,” he wrote in a research note.

The expectation that Trump could roll out pro-growth economic policies and tax cuts, combined with a solid macroeconomic environment, could power the S&P 500 past 6,000 points by the end of 2024, Essaye added.

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on November 6th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

It’ll be Very Hard for This Market to RallyIf you want research that comes with no long term commitment, yet provides independent, value added, plain English analysis of complex macro topics, then begin your Sevens Report subscription today by clicking here.

To strengthen your market knowledge take a free trial of The Sevens Report.

Join hundreds of advisors from huge brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Raymond James, and more! To start your quarterly subscription and see how The Sevens Report can help you grow your business, click here.

Why the Bullish Thesis Got Stronger

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Why the Bullish Thesis Got Stronger: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why the Bullish Thesis Got Stronger
  • Weekly Market Preview: Does the S&P 500 Breakthrough 6,000?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: CPI on Wednesday, Important Growth Data on Thursday

Futures are modestly higher on post-election momentum and following a very quiet weekend of news.

Parts of the Trump administration are starting to come into view, most notably that Scott Bessent is looking most likely to become Treasury Secretary and the market views that as bullish.

Economically, there were no notable reports overnight.

Today is Veteran’s Day so trading should be quiet as there are no economic reports or Fed speakers, while the bond market is closed.  However, there are important updates this week on inflation (CPI on Wednesday) and growth (numerous reports on Thursday/Friday) so the week will get busier.

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What the Trump Victory Means for Markets

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What the Trump Victory Means for Markets: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What the Trump Victory (and likely Republican Sweep) Means for Markets

Futures are surging more than 2% as Donald Trump soundly defeated Kamala Harris, Republicans flipped the Senate and will likely win the House of Representatives, completing the sweep and taking control of Washington.

Markets are moving sharply on the expected Republican sweep, as the Dollar Index is 1.7% higher, the 10-year Treasury yield jumps 17 bps and oil falls more than 1%.

Away from the U.S., German Manufacturers’ Orders and Euro Zone Composite PMIs were stronger than expected.

Today most of the analysis and commentary will focus on the implications of the likely Republican sweep, but there is also an important economic report out this morning: the November Flash Composite PMI (E: 54.3).  That number needs to stay Goldilocks to keep growth and Fed rate cut expectations intact (and now that the election is behind us, those growth and rate cuts will again drive markets).

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Where SOX Go, Stocks Go: A Cyclical Canary to Watch in the Market Coal Mine

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Where SOX Go, Stocks Go: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Where SOX Go, Stocks Go: A Cyclical Canary to Watch in the Market Coal Mine

Futures are modestly higher thanks to solid earnings and ahead of important central bank decisions and economic data later today.

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) beat earnings and is rallying 8% pre-market and that’s boosting tech and futures.

Today will be a busy day on the economic and earnings front, starting with the ECB rate decision, where the ECB is expected to cut rates 25 bps and signal an openness (but not a guarantee) of another rate cut in December.

Economically, there are several potentially important reports today including, in order of importance, Retail Sales (E: 0.3%), Jobless Claims (E: 260K), Philly Fed (E: 3.0) and Industrial Production (E: -0.1%).  With all of today’s data, Goldilocks readings around expectations are the best case for markets.

Finally, earnings season continues to roll along and NFLX (E: $5.09) after the close is the big report today.

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